Policing without politics-Pakistan

             A TIME when even an ASP-rank officer could be trusted with a difficult inquiry and be expected to deliver while staying impartial, impartial, and free of partiality. Even high-level committees and commissions today frequently have questionable credibility.

 

Nearly everyone has been impacted at some point or another by the rising crime rate and the decline in police professionalism. As politics has permeated officialdom and civil officials have been persuaded to enter politics, we have progressively achieved mind-boggling levels of inefficiency.

 

The worst kind of tyranny is when our rulers follow a colonial paradigm, utilizing the police to enslave their own people. Unfortunately, some government employees actively work to integrate themselves into these repressive structures. Nowadays, it is practically a given that important police positions will be changed anytime there is a political shift. Therefore, when political leaders are making the transfers and appointments, it pays to be on their good side. When making such appointments, neutrality and professionalism are rarely valued attributes.

 

Our police force has become gung-ho and trigger-happy as a result of these politicians' quest for rapid fixes and immediate results. There was a period when criminals would flee from the police if they were being pursued. They would risk losing in court. They now choose to resist, kill in retaliation, or even perish in the process. Even repeat criminals increasingly flee or lash out when they are surrounded for fear of being subjected to extrajudicial punishment.

 

After every police contact, there used to be an investigation a decade ago. Today, the casualties are merely referred to as "collateral damage," and "it happens" is used as an excuse for police excesses that should be dealt with harshly. The fundamental principles of law enforcement have been completely dismantled in this case.

 

Another significant issue is the continual eroding of the police chief's authority. Despite court decisions promising it, I as a former inspector general can verify that there is neither operational autonomy nor tenure security. If you offend a powerful person, you can expect a swift transfer out. For systemic flaws that you cannot repair on your own, the highest court in the land has the power to drag you up for a public beating. Another issue is dealing with prime leaders and chief ministers who enjoy acting as police officers. They believe they are the foremost authorities on policing, but they are exempt from responsibility for any harm that results from their routine interference in police work.

 

I have frequently persuaded our leaders that upholding the law, practicing good governance, and maintaining an impartial police force will not only benefit them while they are in office but will also defend them in the future. The type of political witch hunt that currently seems to accompany every change of government cannot be tolerated by a sound system. Our leaders have yet to recognize, however, that the opportunists they favor are always the first to change sides. Anyone willing to break the law for one politician will have no problem doing it for another.

 

Second, it's critical to make all police positions openly known and let the National Public Safety Commission or another impartial commission choose the right candidate. The current appointment system has to be overhauled. Depending on the job description and organizational mission, there should be predetermined selection criteria for each post. There should no longer be any pressure to follow the advice of different interest groups.

 

In a related vein, senior official transfers and appointments in the middle of the night ought to end. Instead, everyone who wants to fill a position should be allowed to freely apply and compete. Decisions on promotions and transfers cannot be made in secret by influential people's kitchen cabinets. Police appointments are not a discretionary power that can be used at will; only those qualified to guarantee improved service delivery and protect residents' lives, property, and honor should ever be given the job.

 

Thirdly, the police department shouldn't continue to be an affiliated one. This will facilitate direct communication between the head of state and the top cops. The latter will be able to promptly communicate the difficulties they are experiencing so that the former can respond right away. The Police Reforms Committee of the Supreme Court recommended that the police be given the legal authority and held strictly accountable. Along with the media and civil society, good forums that can serve as watchdogs include the Association of Former Inspectors General of Police and the Police Services of Pakistan Association.

 

Last but not least, an IG should only be selected after careful due diligence and be given a tenure that is assured. He or she should also make sure their subordinates receive the same treatment. If necessary, constitutional protection should be extended to the executive branch in particular. Currently, the PM and CM offices post the majority of the officers, even at the lowest levels of the organization, frequently without consulting the police chief.

 

It took industrialized nations more than a century to realize that impartial law enforcement serves the general welfare. After 75 years of experimentation, it ought to be obvious by this point that interfering with the work of the police has only endangered our lives and honor, denied citizens their right to protection, and brought us into shame among other nations. Our nation's citizens deserve better.